Things You'll Need:
- Measuring Tapes
- Sand
- Votive Candles
- Measuring Cups
- Paper Bags
- Lighters
- Lighters
- Paper bags
- Measuring cups
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Step 1
Determine where you want your luminaries to be located.
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Step 2
Measure the length of the area, and multiply by two, as you will need luminaries on both sides of the path.
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Step 3
Determine how many paper bags you will need. Luminaries are usually spaced between 6 inches and 2 feet apart, depending on the length of the area to be decorated and the desired look.
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Step 4
Purchase an equal number of green and red lunch-size paper bags. These are available at most craft and paper stores and range in price from about 15 cents to 35 cents each.
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Step 5
Purchase a small votive candle for each paper bag.
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Step 6
Purchase sand to weigh down the bags. Each bag should have about a 2-inch base of sand - about 2 c. for lunch-size bags.
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Step 7
Fill each bag with about 2 c. sand, and place the bags along the pathway to be decorated, alternating the green and red bags.
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Step 8
Twist a votive candle into the sand in the middle of the bag, making sure it's secure.
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Step 9
As dusk falls, light each candle for a striking holiday glow.













Comments
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 I was in a rush to make luminaries on Saint Patrick's day to decorate where I was to propose to my wife, and finding sand in our town wasn't easy. But we had plenty of kitty litter! So instead, I filled all the bags using kitty litter and a very handy litter scoop- it worked just as well as sand ever would, and probably smelled nicer too (though I never really took the time to notice- I was busy proposing). Litter, simple candles, and brown lunch bags were a beautiful effect by the lake- and neighbors all around asked later if it was an Irish tradition of ours!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 You can make a luminary out of old food cans, which makes them more resistant to wind. They won't blow over and cause a fire!
Save an old can, punch holes in it with a nail and hammer, and then spray paint it black (or whichever color you choose). Then fill and put the candle in just like as you would with a bag!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If you can find a partially shaped round glass or ceramic luminaries at a craft store, you can use puff paint or other medium to decorate the luminaries as ornaments. It's a great project to do with the kids.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If you take either one large craft punch or several small ones (of a snowflake shape, for instance) and punch the front of the luminary bag, it gives a pretty "die cut" look to the luminary.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Fold over the top edge of the bag approximately 1 inch. This keeps the bags more "square". White bags look great.